Congratulations Aida Rivera-Varona, Executive Technical Assistant at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and GMiS 2021 Luminary Award winner!
GMiS Luminary honorees represent professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics who initiate, collaborate, and lead key programs and research within their companies. These individuals have made significant contributions to the Hispanic technical community as leaders and role models.
Throughout the 33rd Annual GMiS Conference, Great Minds in STEM will be highlighting members of our Class of 2021 Luminary honorees, comprising of Hispanic innovators who are engineering the future while lighting the way for the next generation of STEM leaders.
Our next spotlighted Luminary is Aida Rivera-Varona. As the Executive Technical Assistant and Deputy of the Futures Core Team at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Ms. Rivera-Varona’s ability to bridge both the technical and corporate/strategic program areas, and take on leadership roles and responsibilities across various sectors, has made her an invaluable asset to the NRC.
During her career, her drive, innovation, and forward-thinking have allowed her to attain remarkable professional achievements, while helping the NRC fulfill its vision of becoming a modern, risk-informed regulator even as it meets its important nuclear safety and security mission.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico to parents who encouraged her interests in STEM, Ms. Rivera-Varona earned her B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus in 2002.
Soon afterward, she moved to Washington, DC, after she was hired by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as a general engineer, taking on progressively more difficult and demanding responsibilities ever since. As a highly sought-after senior mentor at the NRC, Ms. Rivera-Varona has supported members of the Hispanic community through her role as chair of the Hispanic Employment Program Advisory Committee (HEPAC) from 2008 through 2012. Her work for Hispanics and other underserved groups was recognized in 2011 with a Meritorious Service Award for Equal Employment Opportunity Excellence.
Congratulations to Ms. Rivera-Varona and the entire Class of 2021 GMiS Luminary honorees!
Stay tuned for more exemplary Hispanic professionals in STEM as Week 1 of the GMiS Virtual Conference continues.